Summer Watermelon Salad – Two Ways!

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Two easy variations on a refreshing summer watermelon salad. Try it with feta and mint or basil and mozzarella. Simple, Elegant, and Delicious!

I’ll never forget the moment I realized you could add fruit to a salad. It was a tiny fine dining restaurant in my hometown. (The only fine dining restaurant in town at that time actually.) They served me a side salad of arugula, pecans, blue cheese, and grapes. My mind was blown.

Likewise the idea of using watermelon in a salad came from a restaurant. There’s a lovely little seasonal oyster boat on Pier 26 in New York called Grand Banks. My first visit there they served a watermelon salad appetizer. It was some gloriously sweet and salty combination of watermelon, tomatoes, and onions that I’ve yet to recreate. But it got me thinking about other ways to use watermelon in salads.

Want some other summer salads? Try this Watercress and Mandarin Orange Salad or a Santa Fe Taco Salad!

Looking for more summertime appetizers? Try some golden sizzling Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms or these refreshing Cucumber and Smoked Salmon Bites!

Jump to Recipe

TL;DR

• Remove the rind from your watermelon.
• Cut your watermelon into shapes (cubes, triangles, melon balls)
• Add your chosen cheese and herb.
• Drizzle with Balsamic Reduction Glaze
• Serve!

How to make a Summer Watermelon Salad

Watermelon salad is relatively easy to pull together. The hardest part is choosing which version to make!

You really only need three things for a watermelon salad: the melon, a cheese, and an herb.

I also suggest making a balsamic reduction glaze because the flavors are just perfect. A little tart and spicy to contrast with the very sweet melon flavor.

I know, technically there are two salads in one recipe here… but they use the same dressing and base (watermelon+herb+cheese). So I thought I’d include both and let your mood take you from there!

Version 1: Mint & Feta

Bright crisp watermelon with refreshing mint and feta slices! The flavor combination here was really made to go together. Feta has a naturally slightly salty flavor. When it’s paired with sweet watermelon you get a uniquely summer combination.

Version 2: Basil & Mozzarella (Watermelon Caprese Salad)

If there’s an herb that screams summer, it’s basil. This is a twist on the classic caprese salad. But instead of tomatoes, you substitute watermelon. This version is definitely sweeter than a classic caprese and you need the balsamic reduction to replace the acidity of tomatoes. It’s bright, happy, and totally summer.

The Dressing

I use a very simple balsamic reduction for this salad. It’s very easy to make and goes with so many summer dishes so you can definitely make a large batch and use it for more than just this recipe.

To make Balsamic reduction you really only need balsamic vinegar. I usually add some basil, mint, sage, thyme, or even orange peels to infuse additional flavors. For this recipe I chose basil and mint to match my herbs. 

Make sure you use a non-reactive saucepan and keep your kitchen fan on! You’re boiling off the water to thicken the vinegar so it gets smoky. You’ll end up with about half the amount of balsamic you put in, so if you’re making enough for just this salad, use ½ cup. If you’re making a full batch 1 cup vinegar will yield ½ cup reduction.

You can use just plain balsamic vinegar, but it’s very runny. And you don’t get the same depth of flavor and sweetness.

The Presentation

There are a few different ways to present this salad. The most obvious is to toss all the ingredients together in a bowl or plate and serve. This works well for casual dinners or picnics!

But watermelon is a fruit that you can shape, if you have the desire. So if you’re planning a fancy sit-down summer dinner party…try a more elegant presentation. I sliced my watermelon into triangles, then layered it between slices of feta and mint leaves. Very cute and elegant and quite simple.

Melon balls and mozzarella balls are an adorable combination. But if you have slices of mozzarella you could make a caprese-style salad by cutting your watermelon into large rounds too!

Additional Variations

There are more than two ways to make a salad! Don’t forget to add in some of your other favorite fruits and veggies for more colorful options. My favorites are below:

• Cucumber! It pairs especially well with mint and feta.
• Arugula. Add it to either salad to pack in more veggies.
• Avocado. Creamy and delicious. It could go with either variation.
• Mango. The other perfect summer fruit. It goes best with creamy mozzarella. But try it in the feta variety as well, especially if you add jalapeño!
• Jalapeño. Pairs excellently with creamy mango, sweet watermelon, and salty feta. Add some avocado too for a south-of-the-border feel.

What to serve with Summer Watermelon Salad?

Summer Watermelon Salad is perfect for a picnic or barbecue. You can take along things like this Three Bean Pasta Salad or these Homemade Soft Chicken Tacos as savory counterpart.

If you’re serving it at home, try these Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks or a Crispy Roast Chicken. You could even serve a watermelon salad for spring brunch as a side for this Mushroom, Leek, and Bacon Quiche!

What wines pair with Summer Watermelon Salad?

A light summery sangria is always a good idea with any sort of picnic food. You’ll want to stay away from heavy red, but white or light red sangria would work perfectly!

You can also pair a rosé, as many have a summer berry or watermelon note.